Who is Epictetus? Unlike other more famous Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, Epictetus was born a slave. His place of birth was Hierapolis in Anatolia in around 50 AD. Whether Epictetus had other names is not know – his name in Greek means ‘gained’ or ‘acquired’. It seems likely that this was …
How did Pompey get the name Adulescentulus Carnifex? How did Pompey get the name ‘Adulescentulus Carnifex’ or ‘teenage butcher’? One thing is for certain, it wasn’t from his friends and supporters. Pompey acquired the name as a result of his campaigns in Sicily, where he had been sent by Sulla. The target of Pompey’s forces …
What does SPQR mean? SPQR is a Latin abbreviation – Senātus Populusque Rōmānus. In English ‘The Senate and People of Rome’. The abbreviation referred to the Government of the Roman Republic. It appeared on coins but also on buildings and monuments as well as declarations and documents. The use of SPQR on coinage began in around 80 BC …
When was the Classical Era in history? When was the Classical Era in history? Broadly speaking the Classical Era (also Classical Period or Classical Age) in the Mediterranean area was between 8th century BC and 6th century AD. In Europe this period was dominated by the Greeks and then the Romans. Greek ideas, stories and …
What does Amor Fati mean? What does ‘Amor Fati’ mean? This is Latin phrase which translates as ‘Love of Fate’ or ‘To Love One’s Fate’. Amor Fati or Love of Fate is an important concept in Stoic Philosophy, a school of thought founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in 301 BC. Famously, this was …